Emma Reid - Made in Coventry

From Coventry graduate to world-class judoka – a journey of resilience and purpose

When Emma enrolled at Coventry University to study Events Management, she had no idea the experience would help shape her into one of Britain’s leading judoka. Yet the resilience, discipline and quiet determination she cultivated during her time in the city have propelled her from the classroom to international podiums.

Her route into elite sport was far from conventional. Armed with a degree, Emma gained the confidence and flexibility to chase a dream many considered uncertain. Along the way, she acquired the tools to handle setbacks, adapt under pressure and transform potential into performance.

Now 30, she’s a three-time British Judo Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist. She said: “It was a leap of faith. But having my degree meant I wasn’t leaping without a parachute.”

Emma’s elite mindset was Made in Coventry

After graduating from Coventry University in 2017, Emma joined the British Judo Association as a part-time Events Officer while training full-time. For nearly three years, she balanced her athletic ambitions with financial demands until securing funding enabled her to become a full-time athlete in late 2019.

Her time at university proved pivotal. Through Coventry University’s Sports Scholarship programme, she accessed tailored strength and conditioning training, nutrition guidance, sports psychology, lifestyle support and competition travel assistance.

These foundations gave her structure, practical insight and a belief that she could chase elite competition while still planning for the long term.

But it wasn’t just physical support that made the difference.

She said: "Organisation is everything.

"Managing your time, your energy, your headspace - those are skills I learned while studying. They’ve stuck with me."

Emma credits university with instilling habits that underpin her athletic performance.

She said: "If I’m not on top of things, it impacts my training and how I compete. That mindset of staying disciplined and focused was built at Coventry."

Resilience: Emma’s secret to navigating professional sport

Her journey has been marked by twists and turns, and her mental strength was tested more than ever during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fresh from winning bronze at the World Championships, Emma was selected to represent Great Britain - a lifelong dream fulfilled. But her campaign ended in heartbreak, with a first-round disqualification in the -78kg category.

She said: "For weeks afterwards I couldn’t talk about it without crying.

"I felt so low. I’d worked so hard and built it up in my head. It didn’t go the way I imagined and that was really tough."

But true to the resilience forged during her university years, Emma chose reflection over regret and can now look back at the bigger picture - including the milestones she once overlooked.

She said: "I won a World Championship medal in 2024. That’s the next best thing to the Olympics in our sport. I just couldn’t appreciate it at the time."

Emma sees setbacks differently now.

She said: "I’ve learned that they’re not failures - they’re fuel. I won a World medal and I learned from a loss. That experience gives me perspective, and I know how to approach LA 2028 with more wisdom."

Golden Goals: Emma aims to defend Commonwealth title on the road to LA 2028

She’s now looking ahead to next year - focused on regrouping and defending her gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Further on the horizon, Los Angeles 2028 offers the promise of another shot at Olympic glory.

She said: “I’m not thinking too far ahead.

“LA is in the back of my mind, but I’m taking things one step at a time. Paris taught me a lot - I know now what I’d do differently. You don’t get that clarity until you’ve lived it.”

Reflecting on her journey, Emma says it’s been shaped not just by sport, but by the lessons of education and the support that helped her believe in herself.

“I always tell people - love what you do, and trust your work ethic. The success will come.”

Find out how to follow in Emma’s footsteps.